Friday & Saturday (23rd & 24th August)

Expect partly cloudy skies in the Southern Lakes with northwest breezes on Friday. There’s a possibility of light showers, especially at Treble Cone and Cardrona, which could turn into snow above 1800m if they occur.

In Canterbury, heavy rain and severe gale-force northwesterlies in exposed areas will likely disrupt operations. Some rain may turn into snow at higher altitudes, easing in the south by afternoon and elsewhere by evening.

Mt Ruapehu will be mostly cloudy, with light rain developing in the afternoon, transitioning to snow above 1800m as northwesterlies increase to gale force in exposed locations.

The South Island will experience strong northwest winds again on Saturday, with gale-force gusts in exposed areas. It will be a mostly fine day, aside from some high cloud and a few snow showers on the mid-to-upper slopes of the Southern Lakes early in the morning. Rain and snow showers will spread across most South Island resorts by evening.

On Mt Ruapehu, rain will be heavy at times as a front passes, shifting strong-gale northwesterlies to lighter westerly winds. The rain will turn to snow at mid-slopes and clear up by evening.

Sunday to Tuesday (25th to 27th August)

Snow is anticipated at South Island resorts on Sunday, with heavy falls likely, particularly in the Southern Lakes. The snow could be dense and wet on the lower slopes, especially in Canterbury. Resorts close to the Main Divide will receive the most snowfall, while those further east, like Mt Hutt, will see considerably less. Strong northwest winds will prevail, reaching gale force in Canterbury.

Mt Ruapehu will have partly cloudy skies, with some drizzle in the afternoon and northwest winds.

South Island resorts can expect a mostly clear day on Monday, though northwest winds will strengthen, becoming gale force in Canterbury.

Mt Ruapehu will experience a challenging day with rain and strong northwest winds.

Another quick-moving front will bring a brief period of rain to South Island ski fields early Tuesday, but that'll clear out for a mostly fine day as northwesterlies ease and turn southwest. Mt Ruapehu won't be so lucky, as heavy rain and gale northwesterlies will persist through the day.

Thanks for reading. I'll continue to provide these forecasts every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday throughout the southern hemisphere season.

Mike O'Connor